April 1 Lenten Devotional "Illness in Our Lives"

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN. . .One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”   “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”  At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

CONSIDER. . . Most of us are probably aware of the illness in our lives--physical, spiritual or emotional. But many times, we don't like the cures, because remedies call for change. Like the man lying at the healing pool for THIRTY EIGHT YEARS, we have all sorts of excuses for avoiding healing in our lives, and we put up all sorts of defenses to prevent healing in our hearts and lives. "Eat better, exercise more" We say, "I'll get a second opinion."  We're told, "Spend less time at work, more time with family."  We say, "That sounds good, I'll get to it one of these days." We always have excuses because we don't want to change and we are not sure we really want to be healed.

SO WHAT. . . If you want to be healed, you must first WANT to be healed.  Jesus asked the sick man, "Do you want to be healed?" The man replied, "yes, BUT. . . " He gave the excuse that no one was there to help him into the waters and that others jumped ahead of him. Do those excuses sound familiar?  Jesus told him to do what he could not do--what he had tried to do unsuccessfully for 38 years.  "Take up your mat and walk!"  He stood up and walked away.

• What would it look like to be a whole, healthy, spiritually free person? 
• What healing do you need in your life? 
• Are you willing to step out in faith and ask for it?

Don't wait for your disease or wounded spirit to bring you to death.  Stand on your feet like a strong, spiritual person made whole! Move forward and walk toward your God.

PRAYER. . . Dear God, help me to name my illness or distress and bring my desire for healing and wholeness to you. May I hear you say, "Get up! Walk!"  Amen.

You are always invited to comment on this post or any of the previous ones.